Can LeBron James led the Cleveland Cavaliers past Tim Duncan's Spurs? Can Bruce Bowen stop LeBron? Can Daniel Gibson keep up with Tony Parker? All questions that will be answered when the Cleveland Cavaliers meet up with the San Antonio Spurs in the NBA Finals. But no matter what the answers are, there's one thing I know for sure: This will be one ugly series.
The Cavs may have LeBron, but the reason they are in the Finals is because of their defence. They held the Pistons to low scores throughout the Eastern Finals and that is not going to change againest the Spurs. LeBron also best be ready for some rough treatment. The Spurs have already proven that they're not above taking out the star player of the other team to win. Steve Nash and the Suns got the treatment, LeBron best be ready.
In short, don't expect a high scoring series or any run-and-gun. A lot of half-court defence, a lot of free-throws and the Spurs winning the whole thing. As good as LeBron is, I just can't see the Spurs losing this one. Duncan and the Spurs just have too much poise, experience and weapons to lose to the one-trick pony that is the Cavs. Spurs in either 4 or 5 games.
Friday, June 8, 2007
Thursday, June 7, 2007
Another UNSW?
A few weeks after the UNSW egg on our face, there's another omelette on the way. Students of Froebel Academy were shocked to find their school premises locked after the private school in Park Mall was inundated with complaints from its students the day before.
Seems that these students had completed their course already, but have not received their certificates from the academy. The students demanded their certificates or their money back; one day later, the school was locked.
Now the school has issued a statement stating that it's not closing and that the management is committed to continue with classes for its present batch of students. Okay, but who would go to class now? Why go to class if you are not sure if you can get a cert out of it?
What's worse is that Froebel Academy come with some big names on it. At least you can say that UNSW was new in Singapore; you cannot say that here. Froebel Academy is accredited by both the Education Ministry and the Community, Youth and Sports Ministry. It even has the CASE TRUST status awarded to it by CASE. Some of the Froebel Academy students even received help with their school fees from the Workforce Development Agency. Others are under the NTUC's Surrogate Employers Plan where NTUC pays part of their school fees.
All big names in Singapore, and all can't help the students now. After UNSW, now this. If even a school backed by the MOE and NTUC can close down, I wonder if this is but the tip of the iceberg here. Let's not invited any more schools into Singapore until we get our own house in order. This is just embrassing.
Seems that these students had completed their course already, but have not received their certificates from the academy. The students demanded their certificates or their money back; one day later, the school was locked.
Now the school has issued a statement stating that it's not closing and that the management is committed to continue with classes for its present batch of students. Okay, but who would go to class now? Why go to class if you are not sure if you can get a cert out of it?
What's worse is that Froebel Academy come with some big names on it. At least you can say that UNSW was new in Singapore; you cannot say that here. Froebel Academy is accredited by both the Education Ministry and the Community, Youth and Sports Ministry. It even has the CASE TRUST status awarded to it by CASE. Some of the Froebel Academy students even received help with their school fees from the Workforce Development Agency. Others are under the NTUC's Surrogate Employers Plan where NTUC pays part of their school fees.
All big names in Singapore, and all can't help the students now. After UNSW, now this. If even a school backed by the MOE and NTUC can close down, I wonder if this is but the tip of the iceberg here. Let's not invited any more schools into Singapore until we get our own house in order. This is just embrassing.
Wednesday, June 6, 2007
Review of Granado Espada
There's a MMO in Singapore called Granado Espada. For those of you if no idea what it's about, Granado Espada is an Age of Exploration fantasy MMORPG. Think the discovery of America in a new fantasy world.
I will give them this. These folks are giving their all to promote this new MMO. Advertisements on TV, a lauch party at Zouk, free sign-up plans with Singtel; the marketing people of the game are doing a great job. But that is marketing; how is the game?
Now, technically, I can't suggest you play it. First off, there are still some bugs in the game. You start by creating a Family. You then start creating your characters and can control 3 characters at a time in the game. You contol one character and the other two will follow your lead. You attack someone and the other two will attack the monster along with you. Unfortuately you can only have one leader and I find that you cannot switch leaders. The game allows you to switch the leader but everytime I do so, the other two characters will stop attacking the monsters. They will follow you around but that's it. They will do nothing else.
Also, when you put on new armour and weapons, the graphics does not change. This is just unforgivable to me. You see your new stuff when you put them on. That is just a given in any RPG! Not in this game. And everyone starts from the same city, so there is lag whenever you enter the city. Avoiding the city is almost impossible as all the traders and quest-givers are there.
However, the game did get some things right. First off, the setting is good. Age of Exploration is a setting no other RPG has taken on so far, so in this it is one of a kind. The music is solid, it fits the game perfectly. The graphics are also clean and colourful. AKA, it looks and sounds great. I also like the fact you can recuit NPCs to your family. You do their quests (or series of quests), and they will stay with your family along with the characters you have created. (For some reason, these NPCs you recuit cannot level up. I don't know but maybe it's another bug.)
The game is still in early beta, so there should be improvements in the near future. Overall, Granado Espada is a game that shows promise, but doesn't quite deliver. It will need to much better if it intend to lure me away from 9Dragons.
I will give them this. These folks are giving their all to promote this new MMO. Advertisements on TV, a lauch party at Zouk, free sign-up plans with Singtel; the marketing people of the game are doing a great job. But that is marketing; how is the game?
Now, technically, I can't suggest you play it. First off, there are still some bugs in the game. You start by creating a Family. You then start creating your characters and can control 3 characters at a time in the game. You contol one character and the other two will follow your lead. You attack someone and the other two will attack the monster along with you. Unfortuately you can only have one leader and I find that you cannot switch leaders. The game allows you to switch the leader but everytime I do so, the other two characters will stop attacking the monsters. They will follow you around but that's it. They will do nothing else.
Also, when you put on new armour and weapons, the graphics does not change. This is just unforgivable to me. You see your new stuff when you put them on. That is just a given in any RPG! Not in this game. And everyone starts from the same city, so there is lag whenever you enter the city. Avoiding the city is almost impossible as all the traders and quest-givers are there.
However, the game did get some things right. First off, the setting is good. Age of Exploration is a setting no other RPG has taken on so far, so in this it is one of a kind. The music is solid, it fits the game perfectly. The graphics are also clean and colourful. AKA, it looks and sounds great. I also like the fact you can recuit NPCs to your family. You do their quests (or series of quests), and they will stay with your family along with the characters you have created. (For some reason, these NPCs you recuit cannot level up. I don't know but maybe it's another bug.)
The game is still in early beta, so there should be improvements in the near future. Overall, Granado Espada is a game that shows promise, but doesn't quite deliver. It will need to much better if it intend to lure me away from 9Dragons.
Tuesday, June 5, 2007
An over-reaction?
The funny Singapore courts stikes again. A few weeks ago, a man punches another man in public. The man who got punched naturally made a police report. To his shock, the police refused to take any action on the incident. You punch a man in public and can get away with it.
You make a crank phone in Singapore, and you can get 44 months. An India-born Canadian citizen was sentenced to 44 months imprisonment by a Singapore court for making hoax calls, claiming terrorists planned to crash an Air India plane departing here for New Delhi. This is even tougher than February, when a 21 year-old man was sentenced to 3 months over an online bomb hoax.
Okay, these guys are idiots. Total morons to do this at this time and age, but 44 months! That is too much. I know Singapore is very worried to avoid unnecessary public anxiety but 44 months is an over-reaction. If Singapore over-react, then we are basically handing a victory to these idiots. Singapore should be safe, but we must not over-react to these things. If we do, then anxiety will increase as people will retreat into seige mode. And with Singapore's need for trade, that will not be a good thing. Punish these morons, but let's not over-react to everything.
You make a crank phone in Singapore, and you can get 44 months. An India-born Canadian citizen was sentenced to 44 months imprisonment by a Singapore court for making hoax calls, claiming terrorists planned to crash an Air India plane departing here for New Delhi. This is even tougher than February, when a 21 year-old man was sentenced to 3 months over an online bomb hoax.
Okay, these guys are idiots. Total morons to do this at this time and age, but 44 months! That is too much. I know Singapore is very worried to avoid unnecessary public anxiety but 44 months is an over-reaction. If Singapore over-react, then we are basically handing a victory to these idiots. Singapore should be safe, but we must not over-react to these things. If we do, then anxiety will increase as people will retreat into seige mode. And with Singapore's need for trade, that will not be a good thing. Punish these morons, but let's not over-react to everything.
Monday, June 4, 2007
Dragon Avenger by E.E Knight
Dragon Champion tell the coming-of-age story of the dragon Auron. In the the second Age of Fire novel, Dragon Avenger, it tells the story of Wistala, sister to Auron.
When her young family is betrayed, Auron sacrificed himself so that she may live. Wistala then travelled north, to find her father AuRel. While nursing the badly wounded AuRel back to health, a dragon hunter called Dragonblade showed up. For the second time, a member of her family scarificed himself to save Wistala. Running for her life, Wistala vow vengeance. Befriended by the elf Rainfall of Hypatia, Wistala slowly matures and gained the wisdom to put her plans into motion. In the midst of her vengence, she also find out why her family was betrayed by the Wheel of Fire dwarves and became determined to avenge the slaughter of her family.
Like Dragon Champion, Avenger is told from a dragon point-of-view. Unfortunately, Wistala is nowhere as interesting as Auron. Also at the end of the book, an action by Wistala was just totally wrong. If you lived your whole life for vengeance, would you give it up when it's just a jaw away? That's what happened! It was as if E.E Knight forgot about Wistala and wrote the ending for some other dragon.
Overall, this is a passable if slightly disappointing book. Wistala was interesting enough to get me to keep turning the pages, but not so interesting for me to ignore the flaws in this book. Read Dragon Champion. It's much better.
When her young family is betrayed, Auron sacrificed himself so that she may live. Wistala then travelled north, to find her father AuRel. While nursing the badly wounded AuRel back to health, a dragon hunter called Dragonblade showed up. For the second time, a member of her family scarificed himself to save Wistala. Running for her life, Wistala vow vengeance. Befriended by the elf Rainfall of Hypatia, Wistala slowly matures and gained the wisdom to put her plans into motion. In the midst of her vengence, she also find out why her family was betrayed by the Wheel of Fire dwarves and became determined to avenge the slaughter of her family.
Like Dragon Champion, Avenger is told from a dragon point-of-view. Unfortunately, Wistala is nowhere as interesting as Auron. Also at the end of the book, an action by Wistala was just totally wrong. If you lived your whole life for vengeance, would you give it up when it's just a jaw away? That's what happened! It was as if E.E Knight forgot about Wistala and wrote the ending for some other dragon.
Overall, this is a passable if slightly disappointing book. Wistala was interesting enough to get me to keep turning the pages, but not so interesting for me to ignore the flaws in this book. Read Dragon Champion. It's much better.
Sunday, June 3, 2007
Another Idol rip-off?
After Singapore Idol, Superband, Campus Superstar...Singapore now has yet another American Idol rip-off. Auditions is being held for Singapore's "Live The Dream".
A small change in that singers for the show must be aged 25 and above. Like I said, it's a small change. I think it's not too big of a charge to say that Singapore television lack creative direction, but another Idol rip-off! Don't we have enough of that already?
The producers of Singapore should take some risks, and not redo American Idol in every form that they can think of. I don't care how you say this show will be different, an Idol rip-off is an Idol rip-off. And frankly, Singapore viewers deserve more than that.
A small change in that singers for the show must be aged 25 and above. Like I said, it's a small change. I think it's not too big of a charge to say that Singapore television lack creative direction, but another Idol rip-off! Don't we have enough of that already?
The producers of Singapore should take some risks, and not redo American Idol in every form that they can think of. I don't care how you say this show will be different, an Idol rip-off is an Idol rip-off. And frankly, Singapore viewers deserve more than that.
Saturday, June 2, 2007
Comics this week
Countdown #48- Countdown did not start with a bang this time, mainly because nothing much happen here. #48 was basically a set-up issue, even the death of Lightray was handled with more questions than answers. Lightwho? Yes, he may be a New God but Lightray was like Duela Dent, another obscure player in the DC Universe. Though the circumstances of the death, a mysterious series of explosions over Metropolis, Jimmy Olsen's superspeed and Lightray's death scream, were pretty interesting.
We also get throwaway scenes involving Karate Kid and Starman, Jason Todd and Donna Troy which adds nothing to the overall story. Okay, I'm confused. Is this Jason Todd or some other guy pretending to be Jason Todd? This character does not even begin to tally with the Jason Todd in the Batman and Teen Titans comics.
As usual, the best scenes this week involves Black Adam and Mary Marvel. We find out that Black Adam think his powers are more of a curse than a blessing and warned Mary of the dangers of her quest. Black Adam warning Mary Marvel to be careful? I thought this storyline was called "Seduction of the Innocent"? Here I was hoping Black Adam and Mary Marvel would...you know. Well there's 47 issues to go, so there's still hope for that.
Silver Surfer: Requiem #1- I was never a surfer fan, but with the tagline of "The Silver Surfer is dying", it got my attention. The actual news was held off till the last page of this issue, but the mood of the issue was one of doom from the start. We see the reactions of the Surfer's friends to the news and it's not pretty. I alway thought Micheal Straczynski was an overrated writer but his writing was very good in this issue. However, he will have to answer a big question as the series go on. Why don't the Silver Surfer just find Galactus? The question to that better be a good one.
We also get throwaway scenes involving Karate Kid and Starman, Jason Todd and Donna Troy which adds nothing to the overall story. Okay, I'm confused. Is this Jason Todd or some other guy pretending to be Jason Todd? This character does not even begin to tally with the Jason Todd in the Batman and Teen Titans comics.
As usual, the best scenes this week involves Black Adam and Mary Marvel. We find out that Black Adam think his powers are more of a curse than a blessing and warned Mary of the dangers of her quest. Black Adam warning Mary Marvel to be careful? I thought this storyline was called "Seduction of the Innocent"? Here I was hoping Black Adam and Mary Marvel would...you know. Well there's 47 issues to go, so there's still hope for that.
Silver Surfer: Requiem #1- I was never a surfer fan, but with the tagline of "The Silver Surfer is dying", it got my attention. The actual news was held off till the last page of this issue, but the mood of the issue was one of doom from the start. We see the reactions of the Surfer's friends to the news and it's not pretty. I alway thought Micheal Straczynski was an overrated writer but his writing was very good in this issue. However, he will have to answer a big question as the series go on. Why don't the Silver Surfer just find Galactus? The question to that better be a good one.
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